Wales prop John Yapp has joined London Irish for the 2013/14 campaign

Wales prop John Yapp has joined London Irish for the 2013/14 campaign on a season loan agreement.

Yapp, 30, made 144 appearances after coming through the ranks at Cardiff Blues, including an appearance in the Heineken Cup semi-final in 2009, before lifting the Amlin Challenge Cup in 2010.

The loosehead left the Welsh capital for Edinburgh 12 months ago, and made 23 appearances last season.

He won the first of 21 caps for Wales in the country's Grand Slam-winning 2005 Six Nations Championship.

London Irish's director of rugby, Brian Smith said: "I have been very impressed with John Yapp throughout his career especially on the international stage.

"He is a loosehead prop with significant experience and his power, knowledge and tenacity will really strengthen our front row."

Yapp said: "I'm thrilled to be joining London Irish this season. They proved during the second half of last season that they are a very good side. I'm looking forward to the challenge of playing in the Aviva Premiership.

"It is a difficult competition with some fantastic players. As a player you want to test yourself against the best week in week out and at London Irish I will be able to do that."